Essentials in Writing Praise and Question

[Bibliophile]

We just had our Expo here in St Louis, where I had the opportunity to meet and sit in on the majority of Matthew Stephens' lectures, and let me just say I LOVED him! If you have the opportunity to speak with him or hear one of his lectures this convention season, do it. He gives great insight and advice on grading, working with students as individuals, and all sorts of other tips that will really give you a fresh perspective for the up coming year, whether you're using his program or not.

So, there's my praise, and here's my question. My daughter will be in 10th grade, and we'll be using World History next year. She has not done World Geography with HOD, we went with another program for that this year. I talked to him about whether she should do the 10th or 11th grade Essentials in Writing next year. He said she CAN do 11, however, since she's never done HOD or Essentials in Writing he suggested I ask the authors of HOD their opinion. If she were not doing it WITH HOD, he would recommend level 10 because he always recommends you start at grade level unless you have a learning disability. But, he also says there is a difference between the two levels where starting with 10 might be better since she has never used his program before. I don't want to say anymore than that because I don't want to misquote him or worry anyone on here.

She is that rare student that loves to write, and we have used several of the same programs HOD uses with her (Write with the Best, Rod and Staff, DITHOR, etc) so i'm just wondering:

1. If we choose to do level 10 instead of 11, will the guide be really off, or will it kind of match up in terms of scheduling?

2. Should we stick with 11 for next year, and not worry about 10?

Thanks so much! We're starting to get really excited about next year!
Blessings!
Dorinda

[mamanlait]

Dorinda,

I'm not sure what HOD would recommend; but, if I were you, I'd try WH with the recommended writing grade (the EIW 11). We are using WG right now and not all of the lessons of EIW 10 are scheduled into the guide. There are sub-lessons like 10B or "optional" this or that which are left out. I love how HOD has a stream-lined approach of not jumping down every rabbit hole by doing every single sub-lesson. This keeps all of the writing balanced. I'm afraid you might end up being a bit writing heavy even for your writing-loving daughter. Besides, I would want to just be able to use as much as possible as scheduled in the guide unless there was a big reason not too.

I love the author of EIW's enthusiasm on DVD. I imagine he's a very dynamic speaker. How fun you got to meet him! Oh...and welcome to HOD.

[Mumkins]

What about ordering the WG guide and following it's plan? A bit expensive just for that though.

[Bibliophile]

What about ordering the WG guide and following it's plan? A bit expensive just for that though.

It's not a horrible idea though. I intend to use WG with my youngest, just missed the opportunity with my oldest. However, that would mean working out of 2 guides for one child which seems cumbersome. I'll have to think about that one.

Thanks!
Dorinda

[Bibliophile]

Dorinda,

I'm not sure what HOD would recommend; but, if I were you, I'd try WH with the recommended writing grade (the EIW 11). We are using WG right now and not all of the lessons of EIW 10 are scheduled into the guide. There are sub-lessons like 10B or "optional" this or that which are left out. I love how HOD has a stream-lined approach of not jumping down every rabbit hole by doing every single sub-lesson. This keeps all of the writing balanced. I'm afraid you might end up being a bit writing heavy even for your writing-loving daughter. Besides, I would want to just be able to use as much as possible as scheduled in the guide unless there was a big reason not too.

I love the author of EIW's enthusiasm on DVD. I imagine he's a very dynamic speaker. How fun you got to meet him! Oh...and welcome to HOD.

Thanks!
He is very humble and encouraging. It was good to sit in, get his vision and get some tips for sure!

In light of the info you gave me, what I might do is order Level 11 and see what I think. Like he said, if it's too much, I can always go down a grade. Theoretically, if Level 11 is too hard, I would use it the next year anyway, right?


Dorinda

[my3sons]

Hi Dorinda! We are fans of Matthew Stephens here too! We have used both EIW Gr. 10 and 11 (we are near the end of 11 now). I'd say in choosing between the two, it depends on what formal writing experience she has had in the past. As writing is a strength for your dd, I'd look over the scope and sequence of Gr. 10, and see if dd has had some formal instruction in most areas. Having done WWTB, especially if it was Vol. II, as well as other writing programs, she may be just fine in EIW Gr. 11. If it were me, I'd probably try to use Gr. 11, as it is planned to balance out the rest of the LA in the WH guide. If I got it and it seemed too difficult, I'd shelf it, order the WG guide, and use Gr. 10 instead. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Bibliophile]

Julie,
That makes perfect sense and helps me a lot. I think we'll buy the package as is, and do what you said. I purchased his 6th grade program for my current 6th grader to do the rest of the year, and I've made my 9th grader sit in on the lessons. The only thing she really struggles with is the organization of writing, how do you get it from idea and research to paper. After watching his lesson on graphic organizers, she said to me, "Oh, this makes so much sense!"

Yeah! We can't wait for next year!
Blessings!
Dorinda